Gold prices dip as hawkish Fed minutes weigh ahead of Jackson Hole
SANTA PAULA, Calif. - Limoneira Company (NASDAQ:LMNR), a global agribusiness with a market capitalization of $291.61 million, has announced a strategic merger with Sunkist Growers, Inc., aiming to bolster its position in the food service and retail markets. According to InvestingPro data, Limoneira is currently trading near its 52-week low, with the stock price experiencing a significant 42% decline over the past six months. The merger, set to take effect in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, is expected to generate $5 million in annual cost savings and EBITDA improvement for Limoneira, starting from the same fiscal year. This potential improvement is significant given the company’s current EBITDA of $4.52 million and relatively weak gross profit margins of 12.24%.
This partnership will see Limoneira rejoin Sunkist as one of their largest lemon growers and an exclusive private licensed packer. The integration of Limoneira’s sales and marketing team with Sunkist is projected to create operational efficiencies through shared resources such as storage, washing, and packing capabilities across Sunkist’s network.
Harold Edwards, President and CEO of Limoneira, highlighted the transformative nature of the merger, emphasizing the combined market presence and operational excellence that the partnership is expected to deliver. This includes a reliable supply, operational efficiency, and complete category coverage for premier food service and retail customers.
Jim Phillips, CEO of Sunkist, echoed the sentiment, pointing out the shared legacy and values between the two entities and the focus on delivering increased value for growers, packers, and customers.
The merger is anticipated to provide Limoneira with immediate access to Sunkist’s extensive citrus portfolio and premier retail customer base, fostering a stronger foundation for sustainable EBITDA growth and margin expansion. The company also expects to see an increase in packing margins per carton, which should offer greater stability against lemon price fluctuations.
The transaction is expected to close on November 1, 2025, pending customary closing conditions. This news is based on a press release statement and reflects the companies’ expectations for the future, which cannot be guaranteed. Factors such as market conditions, regulatory changes, and environmental factors could influence the actual outcomes of this merger.
In other recent news, Limoneira Company reported its first-quarter financial results, revealing a narrower net loss of $0.18 per share, compared to a $0.21 per share loss the previous year. However, the company’s revenue fell short of expectations, coming in at $32.85 million against a $40 million consensus estimate. This decline was attributed to lower fresh lemon prices, with the average price per carton dropping from $21.06 to $18.44. Despite the revenue shortfall, Limoneira’s operating loss improved by 31% year-over-year, thanks to cost reduction initiatives. In another development, the company announced a joint venture with Agromin Corporation to expand a composting facility, projected to generate approximately $5 million in EBITDA in its first year. Additionally, Limoneira authorized a $30 million stock buyback following the conclusion of its strategic alternatives review. The company also held its Annual Meeting, where shareholders approved executive compensation and elected directors to the board. Lastly, Limoneira reported the sale of water pumping rights in the Santa Paula Basin, generating $1.7 million in proceeds.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.